Method and apparatus for duplicating a key

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for duplicating a key from a universal key blank. A plurality of tracer rods are mounted to a carriage on either side of a slot receiving a key to be duplicated. The tracer rods are coupled to a plurality of rotatable cutting tools mounted on either side of a second slot receiving a universal key blank. The tracer rods and cutting tools are held by a carriage movable the length and width of the key. Means are provided to rotate the cutting tools and to move the carriage. The carriage is housed within a cabinet having a pair of holders fixedly secured to its front wall. Each holder receives the universal key blank and the key to be duplicated and is operable to position the key blank and key respectively between the tracers and cutting tools.

United States Patent [151 3,682,041 [45] Aug. 8, 1972 3,358,561 12/1967Roxburgh et a]. .....90/l3.05

Primary Examiner-Gil Weidenfeld I Attorney-Woodard, Weikart, Emhardt &Naughton s71 ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for duplicating a key froma universal key blank. A plurality of tracer rods are mounted to acarriage on either side of a slot receiving a key to be duplicated. Thetracer rods are coupled to a plurality of rotatable cutting toolsmounted on either side of a second slot receiving a universal key blank.

The tracer rods and cutting tools are held by a carriage movable thelength and width of the key. Means are provided to rotate the cuttingtools and to move thecarriage. The carriage is housed within a cabinethaving a pair of holders fixedly secured to its front wall. Each holderreceives the universal key blank and the key to be duplicated and isoperable to position the key blank and key respectively between thetracers and cutting tools.

9m 11 DrawingFigures PATENTEDA E' 8 9 3.682.041

SHEET 2 OF 5 INVEN'I' OR ATTORNEYS PATENTEU 8 I972 3.682.041

snmanrs INVENTOR 7.20 55:15

BY ZLMDM,MMM,MMH/Z AZQ ATTORNEYS METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DUPLICATING AKEY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention:

This invention is in the field of key duplicators.

2. Description of the Prior Art A variety of devices have been providedfor duplicating a key. Some of these devices are disclosed in thefollowing U. S. Pat. Nos.: 2,469,027 issued to Beisser; 2,924,316 issuedto Beminghaus; 3,116,665 issued to Reisner; 3,323,420 issued toRoxburgh; and 3,358,56l issued-to Roxburgh et al.

The devices disclosed in the previously listed US. patents all require aparticular key blank matched with the key to be duplicated. Thus, avariety of key blanks must be stocked and selected'prior to duplicatingthe key. The present invention provides a method and apparatus forduplicating a key from a single universal key blank thereby eliminatingthe necessity for stocking a variety of key blanks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the invention includes amethod of duplicating a key comprising the steps of holding a key blank,holding said key, contacting tracer rods forcefully against both sidesof the shank of said key, moving said rods and said shank with respectto each other so as to eventually contact the entire surface of bothsides of said shank with said rods, rotatingcutting bits on both sidesof said blank, and coupling said bits to said rods so said bits willmove directly with said rods and duplicate the movement of said rods.

Another embodiment of the invention includes an apparatus forduplicating a key having length and width from a key blank comprising acarriage, a plurality of tracer rods mounted to said carriage, aplurality of cutting tools rotatably mounted to said carriage, firstmeans coupling said tracer rods to said tools, second means operable tocause movement between said rods and said key in a direction along saidlength, third means operable to cause movement between said rods andsaid key along said width, and power means operable to rotate saidcutting tools.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus forduplicating a key from a single universal key blank.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a keyduplicator which duplicates the grooves and teeth of a key in auniversal key blank.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method ofduplicating a key from a universal key blank.

Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front view of a keyduplicator incorporating the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a universal key blank.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a typical key to be duplicated.

FIG. 4 is a top view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 1 and viewed inthe direction of the arrows showing key guide and locking block assembly58.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the tracing and cutting stygrlsGpdsitionedbehind the front wall of the cabinet of FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectionalview taken along the line 66 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction ofthe arrows.

FIG. 7 is a front view rotated of the cutting and tracing stylus viewedin the direction of arrows 7-7 of FIG. 5 and showing the stylus attachedto the lifting and transverse drive mechanism 1 14.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary top elevation of the lifting and transversedrive mechanism 114 of FIG. 7 viewed in the direction of arrows 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 9-9 of FIG. 4 andviewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of FIG. 5and viewed in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrows 1ll 1of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For the purposes of promoting anunderstanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now bemade to the embodiment illustrated in the drawing and specific languagewill be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understoodthat no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended,such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device,and such further applications of the principles of the invention asillustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to oneskilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated keyduplicator 25 with a cabinet 26 being provided with an on switch 27 andoff switch 28. A coin slot 29 receives the appropriate predesignatedchange for releasing a suitable vending mechanism within cabinet 26thereby depositing one universal key blank 33 (FIG. 2) into drawer 30.Drawer 30 is slidably mounted to cabinet 26 and may be pulled outwardlyso as to allow the user to withdraw the universal key blank from thedrawer. A second coin slot 31 is connected to another suitable vendingmechanism within the cabinet for depositing various items, such as keychains, into drawer 32 which is also slidably mounted to the cabinet.The universal key blank 33 has a shank 34 having a length L, width W andthickness T greater than a typical key. A typical key 35 is shown inFIG. 3 having a head 36 and shank 37 with the traditional teeth 39 andgrooves 40 being provided on the shank. In addition, a chain hole 38 isprovided in the head of the key. As previously mentioned, the universalkey blank shown in FIG. 2 has a width, length and thickness greater thanthe key shown in FIG. 3. Thus, key 35 may be duplicated by reducing thethickness, width and length of universal key blank 33 accordingly. Inaddition, grooves 40 and teeth 39 must be cut into the shank 34 of theuniversal key blank.

Cabinet 26 (FIG. 1) has a tracing stylus and a cutting stylus movablymounted behind the front wall of cabinet 26 respectively behind holes 42and 44. The key 35 (FIG. 3) to be duplicated is inserted into hole 42and the universal key blank 33 (FIG. 2) is inserted into hole 44. Onswitch 27 is then pushed inward thereby activating the tracing andcutting mechanism to be described later in this specification whichautomatically traces the key to be duplicated simultaneously cutting theuniversal key blank and producing a duplicate key.

A pair of identical key guide and locking block assemblies 58 aresecured to the front wall of cabinet 26 adjacent holes 42 and 44 forrespectively holding the key to be duplicated and universal key blank.

FIG. 4 is a top elevation viewed in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG.1 of one of the identical key guide and locking block assemblies 58. Apair of guide rails 48 and 49 are cantilevered and secured to front wall141 of cabinet 26 by fastening devices 51. The mutually facing sides ofguide rails 48 and 49 are each provided with a pair of channels 57v and59 (FIG. 9). Slidingly received by channels 57 in guide rails 48 and 49are a pair of pins 56 which are attached to handle 50 by arms 52. Themutually facing ends of pins 56 are rotatably received by locking block53 which has a groove 54 for receiving the key to be duplicated or theuniversal key blank. Groove 54 in FIG. 4 is shown as receiving universalkey blank 33. Block 53 is bifurcated forming portions 45 and 46 whichmay be moved towards each other so as to grasp the head of key blank 33.Portions 45 and 46 are moved towards each other by pivoting handle 50upwardly thereby forcing the mutually facing beveled ends of pins 56against beveled surfaces within portions 45 and 46. A variety of othermeans may be utilized to grip the key blank 33. A pair of flat plates 60having opposite ends slidingly received by channels 59 in guide blocks48 and 49 are fixedly secured respectively to portions 45 and 46 therebyproviding for stability of block 53. The shank of key blank 33 is movedinto hole 44 by forcing handle 50 towards the cabinet thereby slidingthe opposite ends of pins 56 in channels 57. A spring tensioned plate 61is hingedly mounted to front wall 141 by self-leveling tension springs66. Plate 61 is provided with a groove 62 for receiving the shank of theuniversal key blank. Plate 61 has a floor wall 63 supporting the loweredge of key blank 33. The leading edge 64 of plate 61 is beveled so asto force plate 61 to pivot downward at the hinge connection of spring 66and wall 141 when abutted against the tapered leading end 55 of lockingblock 53. After the bottom edge of the key blank abuts wall 63, handle50 is pushed further inward toward the cabinet and leading 'edge 55eventually abuts beveled end portion 64 forcing plate 61 to pivotdownward allowing the tapered end 55 to enter hole 44. A portion ofplate 61 is cut out at 65 to prevent interference of the plate with theuniversal key blank as the plate is pivoted downward. v

Suspendedly mounted behind cabinet front wall 141 (FIG. is the tracingand cutting stylus 67. The stylus is held by a mechanism to be describedlater in this specification. A sectional view of stylus 67 taken alongthe line 6-6 of FIG. 5 and viewed in the direction of the arrows isshown in FIG. 6. Stylus 67 has a top and bottom plate 93 and 94 fixedlysecured to blocks 89, 90, 91 and 92. The blocks are spaced apart so asto form slots 95 and 96 which are respectively positioned behind holes42 and 44 (FIG. 1). Projecting into slot 95 are six tracing rods 75a,75b, 750, 74a, 74b and 74 each being fixedly mounted to cylindricalbodies 98 slidingly contained within cylinders 97 formed in the blocks.Springs 100 are biased against bodies 98 so as to force the rods intoslot 95. Plugs 100 are threadedly received by the blocks securingsprings 100 between the plugs and bodies 98. Each cylinder body 98 isfixedly connected to a rod 99 extending freely through spring 100, plug100' and attached to one of the arms 81a, 81b, 810, 78a, 78b or 780. Key35 of FIG. 3 is shown positioned in'slot 95 abuttingly receiving rods'75a, 75b, 74a and 74b. Stylus 67 is moved vertically in a directiontowards and opposite arrow 131 and is also moved horizontally allowingall rods 74a, 74b, 740,

75a, 75b and 75c to eventually abut against the exterior I key surfacethereby tracing the outline of the key.

Universal key blank 33 projects into slot 96 with bits 73a, 73b, 730,72a, 72b and 720 projecting therein. Each bit is attached and is rotatedby a motor 103 which is positioned within body 98 slidably housed bycylinder 97. The bits are biased into slot 96 by helical springs 100abutting against cylinder bodies 98 and plugs 100 which are threadedlyreceived into blocks 91 and 92. A rod 99 is fixedly attached betweeneach body 98 and arms 79a, 79b, 79c, 76a, 76b and 760. The bits arerotatably driven by motors 103 and are coupled with the rods projectinginto slot 95 so as to appropriately cut universal key blank 33 as therods projecting into slot 95 trace the outline of key 35.

The coupling of the rods and bits will be more fully understood byreferring to FIGS. 5, 6 and 10. Arms 81a, 81b and 81c are respectivelyjoined to arms 79a, 79b and 79c by respectively members 124a, 1241: and1246. Members 124a, l24b and 1246 have slots with pins 86 being slidabletherein. Pins 86 project down from supports 82 which are mounted to theback wall 107 of stylus 67. The rear ends of supports 82 are fastened toplate 84 which is secured to the rear ends of supports 83 mounted tostylus wall 107. Arms 76a, 76b and 76c are respectively joined to arms78a, 78b and 78c by respectively members 125a, 125b and 1250. Members125a, 125b and 1250 (FIG. 5) have slots 77 with pins projecting therein.It can be appreciated that when rod 75b (FIG. 6) moves in the directionof arrow 102, bit 73b will also move in the direction of arrow 102.Similarly, if rod 74a moves in a direction of arrow 102 bit 72a willmove in a direction of arrow 102.

Motors 103 may be electrically operated or pneumatically driven. In theevent that the motors are pneumatically driven, air pipes 106 (FIG. 5)extend into cylinders 97 being connected to motors 103. The back wall107 of stylus 67 is slotted to allow pipes 106 to extend freely throughas the motor and bit are driven in a direction towards and oppositearrow 102. A conventional nozzle 105 is connected on the end of eachpipe 106 for fastening to an air hose.

The frontwall 108 of stylus 67 is parallel with the front wall 141 ofthe cabinet. It should also be noted that rods 74a, 74b and 74c are eachpositioned (FIG. 6) above respectively rods 75a, 75b and 750 so as tooverlap. This is required since in many cases the grooves on theopposite faces of key 35 may extend past the center line 104 of slot 95.The rods extend past the center line 104 when key 35 is not positionedin slot and are in an overlapping position so as to prevent interferencebetween one rod and another rod. Similarly, bits 72a, 72b and 72c and73a, 73b and 730 are positioned in an overlapping manner extending pastthe center line 104 of slot 96.

FIG. 7 is a front view of stylus 67 showing a lifting and transversedrive mechanism 114 mounted to base plate 1 of the cabinet.

FIG. 8 is a top fragmentary view looking in the direction of arrows 8-8of FIG. 7 showing mechanism 114 connected to stylus 67. Referring now toFIGS. 7 and 8, a pair of upper rods 109 are fixedly attached to stylus67 and carriage 128 which is threadedly received by worm 127. Worm 127is generally parallel with the shank of the key to be duplicated when itis held in position. A lower pair of struts 110 fixedly attached tostylus 67 are fixedly attached to carriage 101 (FIG. 11) slidinglyreceived by smooth rod 126. It can be appreciated that when worm 127 isrotated, carriage 128 will move in the direction of arrows 129 or 130thereby also moving stylus 67 in the direction of arrows 129 or 130.Thus, stylus 67 is moved throughout the length of the shank of key 35positioned within slot 95. Likewise, stylus 67 is moved about the lengthof universal key blank 33 positioned in slot 96. Worm 127 is rotatablyreceived by front carriage 111 and back carriage 112. Rod 126 is fixedlymounted to carriages 111 and 112 whereas worm 127 is rotatably mountedto the carriages. The forward end of worm 127 is necked down 113 havinga gear 132 fixedly attached thereon. Carriage 11] actually is hollowallowing gear 132 to freely rotate therein and having a second gear 142mounted therein and in meshing engagement with gear 132. Gear 142 isalso in meshing engagement with worm 121 which freely extends downthrough carriage 111 and into mounting block 120 fixedly attached tobase plate 115. A gear 139 is fixedly attached to the bottom of worm 121and is rotatably driven so as to rotate worm 121 thereby turning gears142, 132 and rotating worm 127 forcing carriage 128 to move in thedirection of arrow 129 or 130. Gear 139 is rotatably driven by an axle(not shown) extending out of housing 116 and being driven by input powershaft 138. Housing 116 includes various conventional gear mechanisms forreceiving the power input from shaft 138 and translating this power intorotation of gear 139 and thus, further elaboration thereon would besuperfluous. The top end 140 of worm gear 121 extends freely through andout of carriage 111. A stationary fixed rod 126 is mounted to block 120which is secured to base plate 1 l5.

Stylus 67 is movable in the vertical direction in a direction towards oropposite arrow 131 (FIG. 7) by a pair of axles 117 and 134 which extendthroughhousing 116 and are rotatably driven in opposite directions byinput lifting power shaft 135. Likewise, various conventional gearmechanisms are provided within housing 116 for transmitting therotational power of shaft 135 to rotate shafts 117 and 134 in oppositedirections and thus, further elaboration thereon would be superfluous.Mounted to both ends of axles 117 and 134 are respec' tively gears 118and 133 which engage rack teeth provided on either side of lift sleeves119 and 137. Lift sleeves 119 and 137 extend freely into mounting blocks120 and 120 having hollow interiors. The hollow interior of lift sleeve119 is sufficiently large so as to not touch the threads of worm gear121. Likewise, the hollow interior of lift sleeve 137 is sufficientlylarge so as to not touch the exterior surface of vertical rod 136. Thetop ends of lift sleeves 119 and 137 are received in counterbores 122provided in carriages 111 and 112. Thus, as axles 117 and-134 rotate inthe direction of arrows 102 (FIG. 7) lift sleeves 119 and 137 will movein the direction of arrow 131 forcing carriages 111 and 112 as well asstylus 67 upward in the direction of arrow 131 along the width of theshank of key 35. Likewise, as axles 117 and 134 rotate in a directionopposite of arrows 101, the lift sleeves and carriages as well as stylus67 will move downward in a direction opposite of arrow 131.

Rods a, 750, 74a and 740 should have rounded or conically shaped endswhereas rods 75b and 74b may have a blunt end. Generally, the key shankis sufficiently wide so as to contact rods 75b and 74b at all times andas a result will not bend rods 75b and 74b as the stylus 67 movesvertically. Rods 75a and 74a however do not contact the key when stylus67 is positioned in the most upward position. LIkewise, rods 75c and 740do not contact the key when the stylus is in the most downward position.Thus, the key may tend to bend rods 75a, 750, 74a and 740 as the stylusmoves to vertical or horizontal extremes. This problem is overcome byhaving conically or rounded tipped rod ends thereby providing a slopingrod end surface which slidingly contacts the edge of the key as the keymoves past the rod gently easing the rods backwards until, for example,rods 75c and 74c are spaced apart a distance equalling the thickness ofthe key.

In order to operate the present invention, a coin is dropped into slot29 and one universal key blank 33 is obtained from drawer 30. Key blank33 is then inserted in a holder 58 adjacent to hole 44 and the key 35 tobe duplicated is inserted into holder 58 adjacent to hole 42. The twoholders are then pushed inward until the universal key blank and keyextend through holes 44 and 42. On button 28 is then pressed therebyactivating the tracing and cutting mechanism. At this time, stylus 67 ispositioned at its most downward position. The holder is then movedhorizontally by the transvetsing mechanism already described. That is,shaft 138 is rotated thereby rotating worm 121, gears 142 and 132 andworm 127 forcing carriage 128 and stylus 67 to move horizontally.Subsequent to styles 67 moving the entire length of the key shank, thelifting mechanism then slowly forces stylus 67in the upward direction.That is, shaft is rotated causing shafts 117 and 134 to rotate inopposite directions thereby causing gears 118 and 133 to engage the rackteeth of lift cylinders 119 and 137 forcing carriage 111 and 1 12 aswell as stylus 67 to move upwardly allowing rods 74a, 74b, 740, 75a, 75band 750 to pass over the exterior surface of the key shank to beduplicated. As previously described, the rotating bits are coupled tothe tracing rods. Blocks 94 and 91 are spaced apart to allow arms 78a,78b, 78c, 79a, 79b and 790 to connect to rods 99 for moving respectivelyrods 74a, 74b, 74c, and bits 73a, 73b and 73c. Thus, the rotating bits72a, 72b, 72c, 73a, 73b and 730 out into the universal key blank therebyduplicating key 35 in blank 33. Then stylus 67 moves in a horizontaldirection once again tracing over the key to be duplicated and cuttingthe grooves into the universal key blank. When the holder has reachedits most upward position, the holder is moved back and forthhorizontally and moved downward in increments. Stylus 67 may beactivated in vertical increments and'moved horizontally until eventuallygrooves 40 and teeth 39 are cut into the universal key blank. It can beappreciated that many passes may be required over the key to beduplicated to produce a final duplicate key. Likewise, standard limitswitches and sensors are utilized to reverse the drive means to forcethe carriage up and down and backward and forward. In addition tocutting grooves 40 into the shank 34 of the universal key, the thicknessof shank 34 may be greater than the thickness of shank 37 thereby alsorequiring the bits to reduce the thickness of the shank 34 so as toduplicate the key 35. Of course, it is understood that stylus 67 mayalso be moved in vertical sweeps and in horizontal increments.

A variety of cutting bits and tracing rods may be used having differentconfigured tips. The tips for example, may be blunt, conical or rounded.Thus, grooves 40 (FIG. 2) may be duplicated even though the grooves aresquare, rounded or triangular in cross section. Best results areobtained when the diameters of the tracing rods and cutting bits areapproximately one-sixteenth inch. Grooves 40 are typically wider thanone-sixteenth inch and as a result will easily receive the tracing rodsallowing better duplication. In one embodiment, the bits were rotated ata speed of 30,000 revolutions per minute.

The method of duplicating a key requires that the key blank and key beheld and then the tracer rods are contacted forcefully against bothsides of the key shank. The rods and key shank are moved with respect toeach other so as to eventually contact the entire surface of both sidesof the shank with the rods. Cutting bits are rotated on both sides ofthe blank and are coupled to the rods so the bits will move directlywith the rods and duplicate the movement of the rods. The rods extendinto the grooves in the sides of the key during v the moving step andtrace the outline of the key and any teeth thereon. During the movingstep, the blank and key are held stationary and the rods and bits arecyclically moved horizontally and advanced vertically in increments.

Many variations in the present apparatus and method are contemplated andincluded by the present invention. For example, the rods are arranged ina first and second row perpendicular to the key sides whereas thecutting tools are arranged in a third and fourth row perpendicular tothe blank sides. It is understood that additional rows of rods and toolsmay be employed.

It will be evident from the above description that the present inventionprovides an apparatus and a method for duplicating a key from a singleuniversal key blank. It will be further evident from the abovedescription that the present invention provides a key duplicator whichwill duplicate the grooves and teeth of a key into a universal keyblank. The elimination of the necessity to select a specific key blankcorresponding to the key to be duplicated allows the apparatus to befully automatic.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered asillustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood thatonly the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that allchanges and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventionare desired to be protected.

The invention claimed is:

1. A method of duplicating a key comprising the steps of:

holding a key blank; holding said key; contacting tracer rods forcefullyagainst both sides of the shank of said key; moving said rods and saidshank with respect to eac other so as to eventually contact the entiresurface of both sides of said shank with said rods; rotating cuttingbits on both sides of said blank; and, coupling said bits to said rodsso said bits will move directly with said rods and duplicate themovement of said rods. 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: I said rodsextend into grooves in the sides of said key during said moving step;and, said rods trace the outline of said key and any teeth thereonduring said moving step. 3. The method of claim 2 wherein: during saidmoving step said blank and said key are held stationary and said rodsand said bits are cyclically moved horizontally with respect to saidblank and key and are advanced vertically in increments; and, duringsaid contacting step said rods are simultaneously contacted against bothsides of said key. 4. An apparatus for duplicating a key having lengthand width from a key blank comprising:

a carnage; a plurality of tracer rods mounted to said carriage; aplurality of cutting tools rotatably mounted to said carriage; firstmeans coupling said tracer rods to said tools; second means opearable tocause movement between said rods and said key in a direction along saidlength; third means operable to cause movement between said rods andsaid key along said width; and, power means operable to rotate saidcutting tools. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein:

I said blank has a shank length, a shank width and a shank thicknessgreater respectively than the shank length, the shank width and theshank thickness of said key to be duplicated.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 additionally comprising:

a key holder movable to position said key between said tracer rods;

a blank holder movable to position said blank between said cutting rods,and wherein:

said rods are arranged in first and second rows, said first row beingpositioned perpendicularly on one side of said key and said second rowbeing positioned perpendicularly on the other side of said y;

said tools are arranged in a third and fourth row, said third and fourthrow being perpendicularly positioned on opposite sides of said blank;

said carriage has a first pair of blocks spaced apart forming a keyreceiving slot with cylinders provided in each of said blocks, saidcylinders have springs biasing said rods into said key receiving slot;and,

said carriage has a second pair of blocks spaced apart forming a blankreceiving slot with cylinders provided in each of said blocks of saidsecond pair, said cylinders have springs biasing said tools into saidblank receiving slot.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein:

I said key holder and said blank holder are identical and each have apair of guide rails with a block slidable thereon, each of said blocksis bifurcated with the resulting two portions spaced apart andcloseable.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein:

said power means is positioned within said cylinders of said second pairof blocks; and,

said first means are arms each coupling one of said rods to one of saidtools.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein:

said second means is a rotatable worm generally parallel with the shankof said key, said second means has a cylinder threaded on said worm andfixedly secured to said carriage, said second means has a mountingmember rotatably receiving said worm; and,

said third means is a pair of counter-rotating axles with gears fixed totheir ends, said third means has a lift cylinder with teeth thereon inmeshing engagement with said gears, said mounting member rests atop saidlift cylinder.

' a: wr

1. A method of duplicating a key comprising the steps of: holding a keyblank; holding said key; contacting tracer rods forcefully against bothsides of the shank of said key; moving said rods and said shank withrespect to each other so as to eventually contact the entire surface ofboth sides of said shank with said rods; rotating cutting bits on bothsides of said blank; and, coupling said bits to said rods so said bitswill move directly with said rods and duplicate the movement of saidrods.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein: said rods extend into grooves inthe sides of said key during said moving step; and, said rods trace theoutline of said key and any teeth thereon during said moving step. 3.The method of claim 2 wherein: during said moving step said blank andsaid key are held stationary and said rods and said bits are cyclicallymoved horizontally with respect to said blank and key and are advancedvertically in increments; and, during said contacting step said rods aresimultaneously contacted against both sides of said key.
 4. An apparatusfor duplicating a key having length and width from a key blankcomprising: a carriage; a plurality of tracer rods mounted to saidcarriage; a plurality of cutting tools rotatably mounted to saidcarriage; first means coupling said tracer rods to said tools; secondmeans opearable to cause movement between said rods and said key in adirection along said length; third means operable to cause movementbetween said rods and said key along said width; and, power meansoperable to rotate said cutting tools.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4wherein: said blank has a shank length, a shank width and a shankthickness greater respectively than the shank length, the shank widthand the shank thickness of said key to be duplicated.
 6. The apparatusof claim 4 additionally comprising: a key holder movable to positionsaid key between said tracer rods; a blank holder movable to positionsaid blank between said cutting rods, and wherein: said rods arearranged in first and second rows, said first row being positionedperpendicularly on one side of said key and said second row beingpositioned perpendicularly on the other side of said key; said tools arearranged in a third and fourth row, said third and fourth row beingperpendicularly positioned on opposite sides of said blank; saidcarriage has a first pair of blocks spaced apart forming a key receivingslot with cylinderS provided in each of said blocks, said cylinders havesprings biasing said rods into said key receiving slot; and, saidcarriage has a second pair of blocks spaced apart forming a blankreceiving slot with cylinders provided in each of said blocks of saidsecond pair, said cylinders have springs biasing said tools into saidblank receiving slot.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein: said keyholder and said blank holder are identical and each have a pair of guiderails with a block slidable thereon, each of said blocks is bifurcatedwith the resulting two portions spaced apart and closeable.
 8. Theapparatus of claim 7 wherein: said power means is positioned within saidcylinders of said second pair of blocks; and, said first means are armseach coupling one of said rods to one of said tools.
 9. The apparatus ofclaim 8 wherein: said second means is a rotatable worm generallyparallel with the shank of said key, said second means has a cylinderthreaded on said worm and fixedly secured to said carriage, said secondmeans has a mounting member rotatably receiving said worm; and, saidthird means is a pair of counter-rotating axles with gears fixed totheir ends, said third means has a lift cylinder with teeth thereon inmeshing engagement with said gears, said mounting member rests atop saidlift cylinder.